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Ex-Wyndham Councillor Intaj Khan teams up with AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides for Melbourne's top civic roles, pledging city rejuvenation.
In a striking addition to Melbourne’s political landscape, former Wyndham councillor and Melton property developer Intaj Khan has announced his candidacy for deputy lord mayor alongside AFL icon Anthony Koutoufides. The duo, under the banner “Team Kouta,” officially declared their intentions last week to contest the upcoming City of Melbourne council election this October.
Koutoufides, revered in AFL circles, recently returned from Western Australia and launched their campaign in a rainy Melbourne, introducing Khan as his running mate. Joining them on their independent ticket are former federal Liberal MP Gladys Liu and commercial property developer Zaim Ramani, who are aiming to secure council seats.
Koutoufides expressed his support for Khan, citing his “commitment to the cause” as a pivotal reason for his mayoral bid. He acknowledged Liu’s fervent support for Carlton and Ramani’s longstanding friendship from their Collingwood days.
Despite previous legal issues where Khan was fined for nondisclosure during his tenure at Wyndham City Council, Koutoufides affirmed his comfort with these past events, attributing them to minor oversights. Khan, maintaining his eligibility for the deputy lord mayor role, emphasized their collective focus on rejuvenating Melbourne, distancing their movement from conventional politics.
Khan’s campaign centres on revitalizing Melbourne’s vibrancy and addressing key issues like affordable housing and preventing council rate increases to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. He also emphasized the need to restore Melbourne’s financial prosperity and re-attract investment into the CBD.
Both Khan and Koutoufides share a vision of recovery and growth for Melbourne, leveraging their distinct backgrounds—Khan’s council experience and Koutoufides’ AFL legacy—to foster a non-partisan approach to leadership, aiming to bring balance and freshness to the city’s governance.
